As the game of golf attracts younger players more likely to be on social media and more comfortable with technology, it’s no surprise apps like 18Birdies have soared in popularity.

18Birdies, with over 200,000 five-star reviews, allows its more than two million monthly users to connect with friends, track specific yardage to the pin and throw away the outdated pencil and paper method of keeping score.

The in-app subscription ($99.99/year, $19.99/month and $7.99/week) has features that include an artificial intelligence swing tracker that can help improve any kinks in a newer player’s swing. It also offers a club recommendation service based on distance from the hole and previous experience per club.

“There’s almost an artificial intelligent caddy in these apps to tell you what the right thing to do is,” said Tom Coyne, MFA, editor of The Golfer’s Journal and former associate professor of English at St. Joe’s. “I mean, for me, it sucks some of the fun and human element out of it, but in a game where it comes down to a stroke here and a stroke there where the margins can be very thin, it’s a great resource.”

Andrew Verow ’27, who is a casual golfer, said his favorite part of the app is not having to use a scorecard.

“I like it just that you can keep score because I’m usually not too diligent with writing down stuff on a scorecard,” Verow said.

Anthony Carson, a junior near-scratch golfer on Penn State Altoona’s men’s golf team, said 18Birdies is even helpful to experienced and seasoned golfers like him.

“They have online course overview,” Carson said. “So, for a lot of courses that I’ve never played before … you can use it to tell you how far hazards are, how far greens are. If the hole’s a dog leg, so it’s a blind shot, you can see what’s ahead.”

In 2023, the developers of 18Birdies included a feature to add your friends through the app and track your rounds together. After a 2024 update that simplified the interface and allowed golfers to add already existing contacts and Facebook friends, the app’s popularity exploded.

Coyne said he doesn’t use apps like 18Birdies, though many of his friends do, primarily those who have a virtual range finder. But Coyne said he prefers golf without all the technology.

“Golf is a great opportunity to put away your phone,” Coyne said. “And even though you’re gonna pay the price later with all the messages you have to respond to, it is an opportunity to unplug.”